VULNERABLE young people will gain extra support to gain employment and avoid homelessness thanks to £2m worth of funding.

This will include providing access to opportunities for young people to build life and work skills through training and education.

Contracts have been awarded to seven organisations who will work in partnership with Hampshire County Council, which has committed to funding the project.

Keith Mans, deputy leader of the council and executive lead member for children’s services, said: “We have a commitment and a duty of care for those in our communities who are vulnerable and need help and protection and we take that very seriously.

“We want to do the very best we can for those young people who have had a difficult start in life and support them as they make the transition to living independently as young adults.

“With professional and caring support our aspiration for those young people is that they can go on to live safely, comfortably and happily in a home of their own.”

The range of accommodation support provided through the new contracts will offer choice for those moving on from supported care towards independent living.

A service for teenage parents will also be set up to house mother and child, enabling them to access parenting services.